Superstar ballerina Misty Copeland shares joy of dance and healthy living in new book

Superstar ballerina shares joy of dance and healthy living in new book

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, appears at the Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," compiles her advice for healthy living. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) less

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, appears at the Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, ... more

Photo: Bebeto Matthews, STF

Image 2 of 9

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, poses during an interview at Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," compiles her advice for healthy living. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) less

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, poses during an interview at Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's ... more

Photo: Bebeto Matthews, STF

Image 3 of 9

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, poses during an interview at Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," compiles her advice for healthy living. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, poses during an interview at Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, appears at the Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," compiles her advice for healthy living. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) less

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, appears at the Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, ... more

Photo: Bebeto Matthews, STF

Image 5 of 9

This cover image released by Grand Central Publishing shows, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," by Misty Copeland. ( Grand central Publishing via AP)

This cover image released by Grand Central Publishing shows, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," by Misty Copeland. ( Grand central Publishing via AP)

Photo: HONS

Image 6 of 9

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, stretches at Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, "Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You," compiles her advice for healthy living. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) less

In this March 21, 2017 photo, Misty Copeland, first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, stretches at Steps on Broadway dance school in New York. Copeland's book, ... more

Photo: Bebeto Matthews, STF

Image 7 of 9

Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland

Photo: Gregg Delman

Image 8 of 9

Image 9 of 9

Misty Copeland, the first African American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater,at left, talks with Houstonian Lauren Anderson, the first African American principal ballerina in the country ,before a panel discussion at the Kingdom Builders Center MondayJuly 27, 2015.(Dave Rossman photo) less

Misty Copeland, the first African American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater,at left, talks with Houstonian Lauren Anderson, the first African American principal ballerina in the country ,before ... more

Photo: Dave Rossman, Freelance

Superstar ballerina Misty Copeland shares joy of dance and healthy living in new book

1 / 9

Back to Gallery

You can't talk about Misty Copeland without mentioning her body.

Those chiseled legs, sculpted arms and abs.

Of course, the superstar ballerina is more than her body - she's become an advocate for the art form and an inspiration for girls of color who want to become ballet dancers.

But as the principal ballerina for the American Ballet Theatre, Copeland's body, and how she takes care of it, is important.

She shares some of her fitness and healthy eating routines in her new book, " Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger and More Graceful You."

Copeland recently took time to discuss the book, the importance of stretching and how she still eats at Red Lobster.

More Information

CITRUS SALMON

From "Ballerina Body" by Misty Copeland

Want to eat like Misty Copeland? Here's one way, trying this salmon recipe.

Pour about half of this mixture into a baking dish and add the salmon fillets, making sure they are completely covered with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Preheat the broiler while salmon is marinating.

Pour the remaining marinade mixture into a small saucepan. Cook over low heat for 25-30 minutes, until thickened.

Cover the bottom of an oven-safe casserole dish with a tiny bit of the liquid in which the salmon was marinated. (Discard the rest of the marinade liquid.) Place the marinated salmon in the dish with skin side down, and broil for about 12 minutes, or until the salmon flakes when tested with a fork.

Pour the sauce over the salmon and serve immediately.

Q: Why a fitness book?

A: I didn't want it to be a typical workout book. People admire ballerinas because of their long, fluid movement. I love the ballet technique. You can't create the ballerina body without the ballet technique. This book is an access to that world.

Q: There's this stereotype that dancers don't really eat. Is that why you wanted to include recipes?

Translator

To read this article in one of Houston's most-spoken languages, click on the button below.

A: I feel like dancers are not part of the typical American sports world. Ballet is painted as beautiful and that dancers have issues with food. But I wanted to show a different side. I'm passionate about cooking, and I'm always talking with my massage therapist about cooking and recipes. He told me I should have a cookbook. Now, I do, in a way.

Q: Why is healthy eating hard sometimes?

A: It's so hard for people to wrap their minds around healthy food tasting good. The more you eat something, the more you crave it. So the more you eat healthy, the more you want it.

Q: What do you want people to take away from your book?

A: I want people to feel that a healthy life is tangible and can be long term. We all need reinforcement.

Q: You focus a lot on stretching. Why?

A: I'm always trying to tell my husband about stretching. It's how we should start our day, with a good stretch. It's the foundation for movement throughout the day.

Q: Professional athletes tend to have pain. Do you?

A: You know I ask myself, when is the pain ever going to stop. It's painful to train. It's painful for the recovery. But, you know, I love what I do.

Q: How do you take care of your body when you are not performing?

A: If I'm in New York, I try do body work - acupuncture, massage and chiropractic work.

Q: What about your feet - do you get pedicures?

A: There's a lot of strength in our feet. There's a reason for the calluses. I stay away from pedicures or anything that will soften my feet. I need them to be hard.

Q: We know you love Krispy Kreme doughnuts You even write: "I used to bury my hurt in a box of Krispy Kremes." So how do you resist the temptation?

A: I still eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but it's about moderation. I don't deny myself, I'll just have one.

Q: That's hard to do when they are so good, right?

A: It's like with anything, you have to be mindful and pace yourself. Like if you go to Red Lobster, you don't go crazy.

Q: Stop. You eat at Red Lobster?

A: Yes, I've been know to go to Red Lobster. There are healthier options, like the crab legs. I'll get the crab legs and only one piece of the cheese bread.

Q: What do you eat when you travel?

A: Nuts. Lots of nuts, oatmeal and tuna; things I can pack and eat easily.

Q: Are you still a pescatarian?

A: Yes, it's been about seven years. It's not for everyone, but I've found it's what I need.

Q: What brings you joy?

A: Too many things. Performing, being with family and so many small and amazing things.